Therewere no big surprises today in Scottsdale where Danica Patrick confirmed she will be a full-time NASCAR Nationwide Series driver for JR Motorsports with a part-time schedule in the Sprint Cup Series with Stewart Haas Racing.
The 2012 Indy 500 is still a possibility. “I’m told there are negotiations to make that happen,” she said, but, “still uncertain about that right now. We're not sure. The schedule is still in the works."
Leaving the IndyCar circuit for a full-time NASCAR deal wasn’t easy “it was a difficult decision. It became clear to me how much I enjoy driving these cars, the style of racing, the people involved.”
Now she focused on learning the craft of stock car driving Sprint Cup Series, full time by 2013 clearly in her sights. “That's the goal. I'd really like to do that. At this point, it's a partial Cup season," she noted.
Although she’ll be running “eight to ten,” Cup races in 2012 there has been no decision when she’ll make her debut she said. The season-opening Daytona 500 is still a possibility. “We're not sure right now," she added.
GoDaddy.com the Internet domain name provider will continue to be her main sponsor.
Leaving the IndyCar series where she was the most popular driver for NASCAR has a certain risk of fan backlash and she has taken that into consideration.
Danica explained “I don’t consider myself this big underdog that people root against. I’m just doing what I love to do and what I loved to do at an early age. I hope I don't lose fans who have been awesome supporters of mine and cheered through thick and thin."
Andretti Autosport issued a statement that it was a mutual decision for Ms. Patrick to part ways with the team. "I wish her only continued success in her career. I want to thank Danica for her valued time with our team,” said team owner, Michael Andretti.
In a related development, Bobby Parsons, founder of GoDaddy.com said that the company would be declaring its’ IndyCar plans in a separate announcement tomorrow.
The 2012 Indy 500 is still a possibility. “I’m told there are negotiations to make that happen,” she said, but, “still uncertain about that right now. We're not sure. The schedule is still in the works."
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| Danica Patrick (Photo: NASCAR.com) |
Leaving the IndyCar circuit for a full-time NASCAR deal wasn’t easy “it was a difficult decision. It became clear to me how much I enjoy driving these cars, the style of racing, the people involved.”
Now she focused on learning the craft of stock car driving Sprint Cup Series, full time by 2013 clearly in her sights. “That's the goal. I'd really like to do that. At this point, it's a partial Cup season," she noted.
Although she’ll be running “eight to ten,” Cup races in 2012 there has been no decision when she’ll make her debut she said. The season-opening Daytona 500 is still a possibility. “We're not sure right now," she added.
GoDaddy.com the Internet domain name provider will continue to be her main sponsor.
Leaving the IndyCar series where she was the most popular driver for NASCAR has a certain risk of fan backlash and she has taken that into consideration.
Danica explained “I don’t consider myself this big underdog that people root against. I’m just doing what I love to do and what I loved to do at an early age. I hope I don't lose fans who have been awesome supporters of mine and cheered through thick and thin."
Andretti Autosport issued a statement that it was a mutual decision for Ms. Patrick to part ways with the team. "I wish her only continued success in her career. I want to thank Danica for her valued time with our team,” said team owner, Michael Andretti.
In a related development, Bobby Parsons, founder of GoDaddy.com said that the company would be declaring its’ IndyCar plans in a separate announcement tomorrow.